Advanced Lake Ontario Salmon & Trout Charter
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Sixhour charter targeting trophy King Salmon and SteelheadEarly morning departure maximizes prime fishing timeAdvanced techniques with Captain Bruce's local expertise
When you're ready to move beyond basic fishing trips and really test your skills, Captain Bruce's advanced Lake Ontario charter is where serious anglers belong. This isn't your typical guided fishing trip – it's designed for experienced fishermen who know their way around a rod and want to challenge themselves against some of the Great Lakes' most respected game fish. You'll spend six solid hours on prime water targeting trophy King Salmon, Coho Salmon, Brown Trout, and Steelhead using advanced techniques that separate the weekend warriors from the real deal. With early morning departures between 5:00 and 5:45 a.m., you'll hit the water when these fish are most active and aggressive.
Captain Bruce runs a tight ship when it comes to advanced charters, and that's exactly what seasoned anglers appreciate. You're not here for hand-holding – you're here to refine your technique and fill the cooler with quality fish. The 6-hour format gives you plenty of time to work different depths, adjust presentations, and really dial in what's working on any given day. Lake Ontario can be moody, and Bruce knows how to read the water conditions, thermal layers, and bait movements that determine where the big fish are holding. Groups are limited to four anglers, which means more elbow room and more personalized attention to the finer details of Great Lakes fishing. You'll launch in the early morning darkness when the lake is calm and the fish haven't seen much pressure yet – prime conditions for connecting with trophy-class salmon and trout.
This charter focuses on sophisticated trolling presentations that require skill and attention to detail. You'll work with downriggers, lead core lines, and precision lure selection that changes based on water temperature, clarity, and fish behavior. Captain Bruce provides top-shelf tackle designed for the heavy-hitting species that call Lake Ontario home, but experienced anglers often appreciate bringing their own gear to match their preferred techniques. Expect to run multiple lines at varying depths, constantly adjusting speed and presentation based on sonar readings and fish activity. The key to success on Lake Ontario is understanding how King Salmon and big Browns relate to temperature breaks and bait schools – Bruce will show you how to read these patterns and position your offerings in the strike zone. Line counter reels, quality drag systems, and proper rod selection become critical when you're dealing with 20-pound salmon that can strip line in seconds.
Brown Trout are the lake's ultimate prize for serious anglers, and Lake Ontario produces some of the largest Browns in the world. These fish are incredibly structure-oriented and often hold in deeper water during daylight hours, making them a technical challenge that rewards patience and precision. Browns can exceed 20 pounds in these waters, and they fight with a combination of power and cunning that tests both your gear and your skills. The best action typically happens in spring and fall when they're more active, but summer fishing can produce incredible results if you know how to target the thermocline. What makes Browns so special is their wariness – they've seen every lure in the book, so presentation and lure selection become critical factors in success.
Coho Salmon bring explosive action that gets your heart pumping the moment they hit. These silver rockets typically range from 8 to 15 pounds and are famous for their acrobatic fights that include multiple jumps and blistering runs. Cohos are often found in the upper water column, making them perfect targets for lead core and wire line presentations. They're aggressive feeders during their peak season from late spring through early fall, and when you find a school, the action can be non-stop. Cohos have a reputation for being somewhat easier to hook than other salmon species, but don't let that fool you – their fighting ability more than makes up for their willingness to bite.
Steelhead Trout are pound-for-pound the strongest fighters in Lake Ontario, and even a 10-pound fish can put you through a workout that leaves your arms burning. These chrome-bright fighters are known for their stamina and their ability to make multiple powerful runs that test your drag system and your patience. Steelhead can be caught year-round in the lake, but they're particularly aggressive during their pre-spawn staging periods when they're feeding heavily to prepare for their river runs. What sets Steelhead apart is their unpredictability – they might jump, dive deep, or make a screaming surface run, keeping you guessing throughout the entire fight. Landing a quality Steelhead requires technique, proper pressure, and a little bit of luck.
If you're tired of basic fishing trips and ready to challenge yourself against some of North America's premier game fish, this advanced Lake Ontario charter delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for. Captain Bruce's local knowledge combined with your experience creates the perfect formula for a productive day on the water. The early morning departure means you'll be working prime fishing hours when these species are most active, and the 6-hour duration gives you time to really work the water and adapt to changing conditions. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, which keeps the trip filled with committed anglers who take their fishing seriously. Lake Ontario's salmon and trout fishing is world-class, and this charter gives you the platform to experience it at the highest level.
Set out on Lake Ontario's productive waters aboard this beautifully restored 33-foot Wellcraft sportfisher. Captain Bruce's vessel combines classic fishing boat design with modern reliability - twin 350HP Mercury engines deliver the power needed to reach distant salmon grounds quickly, while the 2021 restoration ensures everything runs smoothly during your pursuit of trophy Kings and Cohos. The boat's fish finder and GPS keep you positioned over structure where big trout hold, and the radar helps navigate early morning departures when fog rolls across the lake. Between battles with hard-fighting Steelhead, anglers can grab cold drinks from the onboard refrigerator or use the kitchen facilities during longer runs between spots. The spacious deck provides room for up to six anglers to work lines without crowding, whether trolling spoons through salmon schools or drifting for Browns near bottom structure. With a full toilet and wheelchair accessibility, this charter boat accommodates serious anglers who want to focus on fishing rather than logistics during those crucial dawn hours when Lake Ontario's biggest fish are most active.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are some of the smartest fish in Lake Ontario, averaging 8-24 inches and putting up a solid fight once hooked. These golden-brown beauties with black spots prefer cooler water around 54-65°F and often hang near structure like rocky drop-offs and deeper channels. Fall and early winter are prime times when they feed aggressively, especially at night. What makes them special is their wariness - they're educated fish that will test your skills. The meat is excellent eating with a mild, sweet flavor. Here's a local trick: when trolling, try running your lures just above the thermocline where the water temperature drops. Browns often suspend there waiting to ambush baitfish, and that's where we catch our biggest ones.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silvers, are pure adrenaline on the end of your line. These acrobatic fighters average 12-30 inches and 8-12 pounds, known for their spectacular jumps - they can leap 6 feet vertically. You'll find them in open water, typically suspended 20-80 feet down, following schools of alewives. Spring through fall offers the best action as they stage near river mouths before their spawning runs. What sets cohos apart is their aggressive nature and incredible fight - they'll jump, run, and refuse to give up. The bright orange meat is outstanding table fare too. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them. Let them tire themselves out with those jumps, and you'll land more fish.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are the ultimate challenge - basically rainbow trout that spent time in the big water, making them stronger and more silver. These fish average 24 inches but can push 45 inches, and they fight like nothing else in the lake. You'll typically find them in 40-120 feet of water, often suspended over deeper basins following bait schools. Fall through spring is prime time, especially during their spawning runs. What makes steelhead special is their endurance - they'll make long, powerful runs and jump repeatedly. They're also excellent eating. Here's what works: use lighter tackle than you think you need. A 10-12 pound leader will get more bites than heavy line, and these fish are strong enough that the fight will be memorable regardless.
Lake Ontario